Using radiator hydraulic fluid cooling for power steering

Steve McMahan · May 13, 2022

First, I know the answer is yes, from a pure technical point. The question is, based on the running fluids temperatures, would the max 210-240 temp of the water cool the power steering fluid or? I’m not using the radiator’s oil cooler and wonder if anyones has tried this with success. My plan A is to mount my small cooler in front of the AC condenser, but just wondered if this would work.

Stanglover · May 13, 2022

Steve McMahan said:
First, I know the answer is yes, from a pure technical point. The question is, based on the running fluids temperatures, would the max 210-240 temp of the water cool the power steering fluid or? I’m not using the radiator’s oil cooler and wonder if anyones has tried this with success. My plan A is to mount my small cooler in front of the AC condenser, but just wondered if this would work.

Hmm, interesting, but mine, being a manual trans, therefore no oil cooler within the rad, that idea wouldn't work. I don't think a PS system gets that hot and to be honest, so water temp might be too hot. I have not checked the temp of the PS pump, (but I might now!!) However, a separate mini oil cooler in front of the rad, or AC condenser is an interesting thought. A downside thought though, is would it put too much strain on the PS pump to push fluid that extra distance in the return line before it gets back to the reservoir?
Food for thought.

Steve McMahan · May 13, 2022

Agree on the column of fluid issue, but, am using a pump from a late 80’s Ford that had a small loop cooler in the area between the front grill and the core support. So, the radiator might be closer and a slight bit lower, but certainly reduces the complexity of the cooling loop by keeping everything inside the engine compartment.

I think with the PS hoses close to the headers and the under hood temps, a cooler out front is best, but using the radiator would be easier and I think, a complete, one piece 3/8” metal line would work from the box to the radiator port; would still need short hose to connect to the pump body, as that’s a 3/8” nipple.

Just a thought.

Stanglover · May 13, 2022

Steve McMahan said:
Agree on the column of fluid issue, but, am using a pump from a late 80’s Ford that had a small loop cooler in the area between the front grill and the core support. So, the radiator might be closer and a slight bit lower, but certainly reduces the complexity of the cooling loop by keeping everything inside the engine compartment.

I think with the PS hoses close to the headers and the under hood temps, a cooler out front is best, but using the radiator would be easier and I think, a complete, one piece 3/8” metal line would work from the box to the radiator port; would still need short hose to connect to the pump body, as that’s a 3/8” nipple.

Just a thought.

Ah I see, so you're not exactly stock in your set-up.

Steve McMahan · May 13, 2022

Nope. I’m using an 87 5l lock, stock, and barrel drive train from a TBird. Inc all of the front drive stuff. I try to remind folks frequently on the site when I ask questions, because some get confused. The Saginaw pump has more flow and pressure than the typical stock 73 pump, so I thought flow wouldn’t be an issue.

basstrix · May 14, 2022

My gut tells me you'd be running your steering gear at a higher temperature than with an air cooled cooler, but is that bad? I doubt it. Will you be using the vehicle for something like a road course racer where it gets a lot of steering input? If so, it may be a great idea. If nothing else, the steering gear will see a consistent operating temp and that's usually not a bad thing unless it's too ________ (fill in the blank).

Steve McMahan · May 14, 2022

Nope, not a road racer, unless it’s doging the pot holes in the local roads. The constant tempature and ease of routing were my main benefits I saw. There doesn’t seem to be any general agreement on what the PS fluid temp should be; too many of the sites I reviewed gave differing info. But, most were discussing racing, and not longer life, etc. Maybe someone here knows a more definitive site for data? The fact that OEMs haven’t done it is one reason to make sure it won’t do more harm than good.

Stanglover · May 14, 2022

And.......... I would be one of the "confused".
As Ford did fit PS coolers on some cars, but not on others, suggests to me that it's ok to cool the fluid, but not critical. If it was, all would have PS coolers would they not?

DAverkamp · May 14, 2022

Steve McMahan said:
Nope, not a road racer, unless it’s doging the pot holes in the local roads. The constant tempature and ease of routing were my main benefits I saw. There doesn’t seem to be any general agreement on what the PS fluid temp should be; too many of the sites I reviewed gave differing info. But, most were discussing racing, and not longer life, etc. Maybe someone here knows a more definitive site for data? The fact that OEMs haven’t done it is one reason to make sure it won’t do more harm than good.

I have the OEM PS pump and took off the “longer hoses” that attached to the shock tower/firewall brace when I pulled and stored the original 2V engine with AC and the original radiator to where I’m at now. WCCC PS lines WO/AC - and when I got home this afternoon (85 degrees today here in SE WI

) my engine was at 182, front of 3 row AL radiator was 145, PS pump at 172. I can’t say that the longer hoses would have had the PS pump running cooler, but I would imagine so with more fluid to dissipate heat, but worrying about a cooler to the PS system to me on a daily thrill seeker is not on my radar.

Using radiator hydraulic fluid cooling for power steering

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